Loren P. Stangeland, Sr.

Loren Paul Stangeland, Sr. passed away on July 11, 2016 in Richland, WA surrounded by his wife and five children.  A loving and devoted husband and father, he will be greatly missed.  Loren was born November 1, 1931 in Fargo, ND to Inghart and Pearle Stangeland.  He was raised on the family farm north of Moorhead, MN and attended Oakmound country school through the 8^th grade.  He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1949 and attended the Northwest Agriculture School in Crookston, MN before enlisting in the Navy in February 1951.  Loren was an aviation machinist mate and served aboard the USS Essex, USS Princeton, USS Randolf and USS Kearsarge during the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged from duty in December 1954.

In 1955, shortly after returning home, Loren enrolled in North Dakota State University (NDSU) where he met and married his wife of 60 years, Vivian McAuley, on April 6, 1956. While attending NDSU he was a member of the bowling team that went on to win the North Dakota Intercollegiate Championship in 1958-1959.  He graduated from NDSU in 1959 with a degree in Agriculture.

His professional career began in Hallock, MN and later Kennedy, MN and Grand Forks, ND.  In 1967, he and his young family of seven moved to Idaho Falls, ID where he was manager of a potato dehydrating plant.  In the fall of 1975, he was transferred to Richland, WA as director of raw products at the new Rogers Brothers (now Lamb Weston) potato processing plant.  In 1978, Loren and John Tucker established “3” Rivers Potato Services, Inc.  He became the sole owner in 1990 and successfully ran the business for many years.  Loren was well-known in the potato industry across North America, serving as president of the Idaho Food Technologists and the U.S. Potato Board.  Upon Loren’s retirement in 2009, his son, Paul, became sole owner of the business.

In his younger years, Loren enjoyed pitching softball, bowling, and snowmobiling – but his lifelong love was fishing – whether it was a small stream in Wyoming, a river in Idaho or his favorite lake in Minnesota or Canada.  At different times in his life, Loren had been a member of the Lions Club, various Elks and Moose Lodges, and was a proud member of the NDSU Team Makers for many years.

Loren and Vivian enjoyed travelling across the U.S. on many road trips.  Favorite destinations of Loren’s   included the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and the Oregon coast.  They also enjoyed trips to Europe, Mexico, and Hawaii.  A highlight of their travels together was a trip they made to Russia and Poland as part of an Agriculture Production Delegation. 

In his semi-retirement, Loren remained active, travelling with Vivian between residences in Mesa, AZ and Pelican Lake, MN where they relished time spent with family and friends, enjoying the well-earned leisure of retirement.  Loren was a long-time member of Meadow Springs Country Club, where, with his quick wit and keen sense of humor, he enjoyed telling jokes and swapping stories with friends.  Loren and Vivian, both lifelong Lutherans, joined Richland Lutheran Church in 1976 and have remained active members over the last 40 years.

Loren is survived by his wife, Vivian; his 5 children, Barbara Stangeland, Karen Williams (John), Debra Myers, L. Paul Stangeland, Jr. (Mary), and Lee Leines (Brian); his 9 grandchildren, Jeremy and Jason Bender, Loren Paul III and Jessica Stangeland, Boone Myers, Dakota Stangeland, Jordan, Greta and Claire Leines and one great-grandson, Carter Piper; and sister, Sonja Diehl of Fargo, ND.

He is preceded in death by his parents and 2 older brothers, Gordon and Arlan Stangeland.

A viewing will take place Friday, July 15^th from 5:00-7:00pm at Event at Sunset in Richland.  Services will be held on Saturday, July 16^th at 2:00pm at Richland Lutheran Church.  An additional memorial service will be held in Minnesota in August for the many relatives and friends in that area.

Memorials may be made to Richland Lutheran Church for the television ministry, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, the American Heart Association or a charity of choice.

A memorial service will also be held in Minnesota in August.